Although Benson Henderson is coming off a clear cut loss at welterweight, and is about to challenge for Bellator’s lightweight title, “Smooth” is still open to fighting at 170.

Henderson will challenge the promotion’s lightweight champ Michael… Read More

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Henderson (photo via Bellator)

By FCF Staff

Although Benson Henderson is coming off a clear cut loss at welterweight, and is about to challenge for Bellator’s lightweight title, “Smooth” is still open to fighting at 170.

Henderson will challenge the promotion’s lightweight champ Michael Chandler on Saturday night, in a bout that will headline Bellator 165 in San Jose. The fight comes several months after Henderson was decisioned by now former welterweight champ, Andrey Koreshkov.

Recently Bellator held a media call in advance of Saturday’s card, and when Henderson was asked about the possibility of returning to welterweight, he stated (quote via Bellator press release):

“I wouldn’t say that I think of myself as a lightweight necessarily. For me, it’s 155 lbs. or 170 lbs., just wherever the more interesting and fun matchups are. But, first things first, I have to take care of business on Saturday night.”

The former UFC champion was also asked about his desire to participate in “fun” fights, and the 33 year-old relayed:

“I’m going to go get this belt at 155 lbs., but after that I wouldn’t say that belts offer a whole lot of extra incentive. Obviously belts are great and the meaning behind the belt is that you are the best in the planet and that means a lot to say that you are the best at that weight class, but I don’t fight necessarily just for the belt. You do want the belt, but right now all I’m concentrating on is four days from now and a man named Michael Chandler.”

Most recently, Henderson earned a stoppage win over Patricio Freire in August, who injured his leg in round two and could not continue. Chandler, meanwhile, quickly knocked out Freire’s brother Patricky in his last fight, which took place in June.

SANTA MONICA, CALIF (August 31, 2016) – It’s a fight that both men have had their sights set on for quite some time, and now it serves as the main event of Bellator MMA’s return to… Read More

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Henderson (photo via Bellator)

By Press Release

SANTA MONICA, CALIF (August 31, 2016) – It’s a fight that both men have had their sights set on for quite some time, and now it serves as the main event of Bellator MMA’s return to the at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. on Nov. 19, when Michael Chandler (15-3) defends his Bellator MMA Lightweight Championship against Benson Henderson (24-6).

The tilt anchors a card that also features a welterweight feature bout pitting undefeated British striker Michael “Venom” Page (11-0) against Menifee, Calif., native Fernando Gonzalez (25-13), after the two had originally been scheduled to fight at “Bellator 151” and “Bellator 158.” Additional contests will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets for “Bellator MMA in San Jose” go on sale this Friday, Sept. 2 at Bellator.com, as well as SAP Center Box Office and Ticketmaster. Bellator Nation presale offer will take place Thursday, Sept. 1.

“Iron” Michael Chandler will look to defend his belt for the first time since having it wrapped around his waist following a devastating first-round knockout over Patricky “Pitbull” at “Bellator 157: Dynamite 2.” A 15-fight veteran of Bellator MMA, Chandler has consistently proven that he belongs among the world’s elite; collecting memorable wins over who’s who at 155-pounds including UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez. The 30-year-old Missouri native now looks to capture his third career title defense, after successfully defending the belt at both “Bellator 85” and “Bellator 97” during his 2013 reign. The veteran enters his fight with “Smooth” riding a hot streak of three straight victories and now sets his sights on handing Henderson his first Bellator MMA loss at lightweight.

Fresh off his victory during the main event of “Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull,” Henderson has earned a title shot in the ultra-competitive lightweight division against its current titleholder in Chandler. With 10 of his 24 career wins coming by way of submission, the 32-year-old Glendale, AZ native will try to do what no other opponent has ever done and finish Chandler via submission. Nicknamed “Smooth” for his silky style and demeanor, Henderson took care of business in his most recent bout, utilizing impeccable technique to defeat Bellator MMA veteran Patricio “Pitbull” Freire after a broken fibula forced the Brazilian star to forfeit in the second round. Henderson hopes to avenge his first title shot with the promotion and trot off with Bellator MMA gold on Nov. 19.

Henderson took on Bellator’s welterweight champ Andrey Koreshkov at the April 22nd event, and the latter badly outscored him for five rounds. The former UFC lightweight champ lost the fight via unanimous decision.

According to a follow up report from MMA Mania, however, Henderson’s fight with Koreshkov averaged 973,000 viewers. The fight peaked at 1.1 million. The card averaged 686,000 viewers.

Henderson was fighting for the first time since he decisioned Jorge Masvidal in November, which ended his UFC deal.

Andrey Koreshkov spoiled the Bellator debut of Benson Henderson in dominant fashion tonight, as the welterweight champ outscored and battered the UFC veteran.

Koreshkov punished Henderson with a hard kicks and punches from the beginning of the… Read More

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Koreshkov (photo via Bellator)

By FCF Staff

Andrey Koreshkov spoiled the Bellator debut of Benson Henderson in dominant fashion tonight, as the welterweight champ outscored and battered the UFC veteran.

Koreshkov punished Henderson with a hard kicks and punches from the beginning of the bout, and on a couple of occasions, floored the former UFC champ. Henderson hung in there, and repeatedly attempted to take Koreshkov to the mat, but was unable to do so. After the bout, Koreshkov was awarded a unanimous decision win by a 50-45 margin, by all three judges.

Here are the main card results for Bellator 153, which took place in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The weigh-ins are completed for Bellator 153, which will take place tomorrow night in Uncasville, Connecticut.

In the main event, Benson Henderson will challenge welterweight champ, Andrey Koreshkov. Both men made weight for the title fight, as… Read More

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Koreshkov and Henderson (right) (photo via Bellator)

By FCF Staff

The weigh-ins are completed for Bellator 153, which will take place tomorrow night in Uncasville, Connecticut.

In the main event, Benson Henderson will challenge welterweight champ, Andrey Koreshkov. Both men made weight for the title fight, as the former UFC lightweight champ Henderson came in at 170, as did Koreshkov.

Here are the official weigh-in results for the event, which will be hosted by the Mohegan Sun Arena.

The MMA world continues to discuss and debate what’s unfolded between the UFC and Conor McGregor this week, and now Benson Henderson has weighed in on the headline making development.

Earlier this week Dana White announced that McGregor will no longer fighter Nate Diaz at UFC 200, not long after the Irish star tweeted he is retiring. According to White, McGregor has been pulled from the card because he refused to attend mandatory, promotional appearances.

Recently Henderson spoke with MMA Fighting.com, and when the former UFC champ was asked for his thoughts on the situation, “Smooth” said this:

“If you raise your children a certain way, they’re going to act a certain way,” Henderson said. “If you allow them to get away with certain things when they get older, they’re going to act a certain way. It’s what happened. Conor McGregor is acting a certain way because he was allowed to for much of his.”

Following the news that Benson Henderson had signed with Bellator, Dana White said he’s happy for the former lightweight champ, but argued that “Smooth” is heading south in the ranks. The UFC President’s comments… Read More

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Benson Henderson

By Kelsey Mowatt

Following the news that Benson Henderson had signed with Bellator, Dana White said he’s happy for the former lightweight champ, but argued that “Smooth” is heading south in the ranks. The UFC President’s comments didn’t sit well with some, including Henderson’s coach, John Crouch.

“I don’t dig it when he tries to devalue Ben,” the BJJ black belt noted. “That’s kind of the UFC’s mantra. Whenever anybody’s not there they devalue them, and I don’t really think it’s fair. I think Ben is still in the middle of a great career. I think he could still be fighting for the title. I don’t think the UFC is interested in giving him those title shot, and giving him the work to work back up.”

Henderson closed out his UFC run by earning consecutive wins over Brandon Thatch and Jorge Masvidal. Prior to that, he dropped a tightly contested, decision loss to Donald Cerrone, in a bout some observers had him winning. The only other men that have defeated Henderson since 2007 are Anthony Pettis (twice) and Rafael dos Anjos. The former lightweight champ and the current reigning, 155 king.

“So, I didn’t like it, but could he have said worse things? Ya.” added Crouch. “So, it’s way better if we keep it amicable, when we try to keep it professional, for sure.”

At the end of the day, Crouch is excited for Henderson, who has said that Bellator’s deal was too good to pass up. The 32 year-old has already been booked for his promotional debut, as Henderson will challenge welterweight champ Andrey Koreshkov on April 22.

“I’m happy for him,” Crouch said. “He’s done a lot in his career and I think he deserves the money he’s supposed to get from it. I’m looking forward to the challenges it’s going to create. There’s good fighters in Bellator, and they’ll be some interesting fights to make.”

Bellator 153 will be hosted by the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Benson Henderson apparently isn’t too upset with Dana White, after the UFC President said the promotion elected not to match Bellator’s offer, since “Smooth” is no longer a top five ranked fighter.

After it was announced that the former lightweight champ has signed with Bellator, White said he was happy for Henderson, but added the UFC is looking for fighters that are headed up the rankings. Henderson recently spoke to MMA Junkie.com Radio, and when asked to comment on White’s response, the decorated vet stated (quote via MMA Junkie.com):

“We know Dana,” Henderson said. “You know Dana. I know Dana. We’ve heard some other things he said. That was the worst he said? He didn’t say my momma was ugly; he didn’t say I was the worst fighter in history? If that’s all he said, that’s not too bad, considering his history of outlandish quotes.”

Henderson exited from the UFC having defeated Jorge Masvidal and Brandon Thatch in consecutive fights. Prior to that he lost via decision to Donald Cerrone, however, many observers had Henderson winning the bout.

The 32 year-old will fight Bellator welterweight champ Andrey Koreshkov on April 22nd.

Several high profile fighters have criticized the UFC’s uniform deal with Reebok since it was implemented, and Benson Henderson has added his voice to that list.

Recently the former UFC lightweight champ entered free agency, and on… Read More

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Benson Henderson

By FCF Staff

Several high profile fighters have criticized the UFC’s uniform deal with Reebok since it was implemented, and Benson Henderson has added his voice to that list.

Recently the former UFC lightweight champ entered free agency, and on Monday, it was announced he’s signed with Bellator. After the deal was confirmed, Henderson thanked the UFC and its executives for what they’ve done for his career.

Since then, Henderson appeared on “The MMA Hour”, and the well rounded fighter said Bellator’s offer was too good to pass up. The 32 year-old also admitted that the Reebok uniform deal played a factor in his decision (quote via MMA Fighting.com)

“For a lot of other fighters, [Reebok] was not the best look for us,” Henderson said. “For me, I’ll say it definitely affected my decision in the grand scheme of things.”

The uniform deal prohibits fighters from wearing sponsorships during fight week, and several established veterans have claimed the agreement’s compensation is less than what they were making before.

Henderson, meanwhile, has been booked to fight Bellator’s welterweight champ, Andrey Koreshkov, on April 22nd.

Benson Henderson’s first bout with Bellator will be a high stakes scrap, as the promotion has announced that the newly signed fighter will take on welterweight champ Andrey Koreshkov.

The bout will headline Bellator 153, which will take place on April 22nd in Uncasville, Connecticut. The news comes just one day after Bellator officially announced it had signed the former UFC lightweight champ.

Henderson (23-5) is coming off consecutive victories over Brandon Thatch and Jorge Masvidal, after he was decisioned by Donald Cerrone in January, 2015.

Koreshkov (18-1) laid claim to Bellator’s 170 title last July by earning a UD win over Douglas Lima. The Russian fighter has won five straight fights.

Bellator is making headlines today after signing Benson Henderson to a contract, and according to the promotion’s president Scott Coker, the move is the “tip of the iceberg”.

Henderson has elected to sign with Bellator, after he closed out his last UFC deal, by earning a decision win over Jorge Masvidal. Coker appeared on “The MMA Hour” on Monday, and the veteran promoter had this to say about the move (quote via MMA Fighting.com):

“I think this is just the tip of the iceberg,” Coker said. “Fighters are fighting out their contacts. They want to negotiate. They really want to see what their value is. We’re going to help them to define what their value is. It’s always good for the industry to have more than one bidder.”

In recent months, Bellator also added former UFC contenders Josh Thomson and Phil Davis to its roster. Alistair Overeem, Matt Mitrione and Aljamain Sterling are also free agents currently.